Mektoub is delighted to announce the release of our first album “Elizabeth” on June 16 at The James in Iowa City.

Mektoub performs a repertoire of Mediterranean folk-jazz and original music by singer-songwriter Nielo Gaglione, an immigrant to Iowa from Southern France.

Nielo’s compositional style is rooted in influences from reggae, jazz, and musical traditions from North Africa, and his joyful lyrics often speak to values of social progress and love.

Fiddle and woodwind sonorities create vibrant textures with orchestrations by John Rapson and Ryan Smith while the electric bass and drums give rhythm to this trip between the Mediterranean Sea and the Iowa heartland.

Nielo’s raucous yet fragile voice, supported by his Algerian mandole’s strings, inevitably leads the way to a space without borders.

“No matter where you come from, WELCOME!”

Their first album Elizabeth includes new members and releases in June of 2022.

Nielo Gaglione—Algerian mandole, singer/songwriter

Justin LeDuc—drums

Tara McGovern—fiddle

Drew Morton—bass

Ryan Smith—woodwinds